The Miami Heat have been searching for a way to retool around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro since Jimmy Butler’s exit. Now comes a trade pitch that looks risky — but one that could reshape their future.
In the proposal, floated by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Miami would send Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, and a 2029 first-round pick (top-three protected) to the New Orleans Pelicans. Coming back: Trey Murphy III, Jordan Hawkins, and Yves Missi.
At first glance, Heat fans might shake their heads. This is the same front office that wasn’t willing to move Ware in a deal for Kevin Durant. So why would they now part with him in a package that doesn’t even bring back an All-Star?
Still, the pitch isn’t about chasing a finished superstar. It’s about betting on Murphy’s rise — and whether his two-way skill set is enough to raise Miami’s long-term ceiling.
Why the Heat Might Consider It
Start with Murphy. He’s no throw-in. At 24, he averaged 21 points per game last season and continues trending upward. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, he checks every box for a modern two-way wing. Slide him between Herro and Adebayo, and you can see why some believe he’ll make his first All-Star team soon.
Add in the recently acquired Norman Powell, and a starting five of Herro, Powell, Murphy, Nikola Jović, and Adebayo has balance, spacing, and switchability. For a team that just watched the Pacers win the East without a superstar — and with Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum sidelined all season — Miami could convince itself this is the moment to gamble on upside.
The extras matter too. Hawkins brings shooting in the Duncan Robinson role. Missi adds rim protection. Miami would not lose its defensive edge by trading Ware. Instead, the rotation might actually look deeper.
Why the Pelicans Could Say Yes
Getty Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat talks to Kel’el Ware against the Philadelphia 76ers.
For New Orleans, this is about flexibility.
Ware is the prize. A 7-footer with shot-blocking instincts and the potential to stretch the floor, he could pair with Zion Williamson to solve long-term frontcourt spacing issues.
The 2029 first-rounder is another chip, a future asset that could be flipped.
And then there’s Wiggins. At 29, he isn’t the centerpiece, but he’s a proven two-way player who helped Golden State win a championship. He fits a rotation if the Pelicans stay competitive. If they pivot, he’s movable. That versatility carries value.
The Trey Murphy Question
Getty Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to making a basket in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors.
Here’s the sticking point: Murphy’s stock is still climbing. His length, athleticism, and three-point shooting make him one of the league’s most promising young wings.
If he keeps improving, he could be viewed the way Jaylen Brown was a few years ago — a top-20 player trending even higher. That makes moving him risky.
The Pelicans might see Murphy as untouchable. With Zion finally healthy, pairing those two is the kind of one-two punch most front offices dream of. Breaking that up isn’t something New Orleans would do lightly.
What’s Next for Heat and Pelicans
For the Heat, this is the type of scenario that tests patience. Do they hold onto their best young piece in Ware and keep waiting for a star trade, or do they bet on Murphy turning into that star himself? Miami has lived in the middle ground for years — good enough to compete, not good enough to dominate. A deal like this could push them firmly in one direction.
For the Pelicans, the question is about timeline. With Zion healthy, the window to win is now. Trading Murphy could bring depth and flexibility, but it might also mean giving up the very player who could help lift them into contention.
Both front offices have to ask: is this about maximizing the present or protecting the future? The answer to that question may decide whether an idea like this ever leaves the page.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Heat Floated in Trade Pitch for Rising Star Wing appeared first on Heavy Sports.